After the last shot was fired at the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (CSF) championships which ended yesterday at the Belmont Shooting Centre, Brisbane, Australia, Guyanese riflemen Lennox Braithwaite and Mahendra Persaud were in the top 10 of world-rated shooters.
Persaud, who entered the final day tied on the same score as the two other leaders, had scores of 72.4 at 900 yards and 68.4 at 1000 yards for a Grand Aggregate of 394.24Vs for an eighth place finish.
Braithwaite shot scores of 72.5 at 900 yards and 70.6 at 1000 yards for a Grand Aggregate of 394.40Vs and sixth place retaining the position that he held at the completion of Stage 2.
Meanwhile, according to the Guyana NRA, shooters from across the West Indies have been sending congratulatory messages to Persaud and Braithwaite on their outstanding performance for the region.
The Guyana NRA Executive Council was also loud in praise of their performance which also follow the shooters outstanding performance at the recent West Indies Championship held in Guyana, the release added.
The President of the West Indies Full-bore Shooting Council, Major John Nelson, sent a congratulatory message to Persaud and Braithwaite that read:“On behalf of the WIFBSC and the region’s shooting family, it gives me great pleasure to extend heartiest congratulations to Mahendra and Lennox on your very fine performance in finishing in the top 10 of the recently concluded individual championship at the CSF matches in Belmont, Australia. Very well-done gentlemen you both did us proud.”
Trinidad’s Justin Lall, another shooter commented: “Very inspiring to me. You guys are the proof that it is realistic to look at the top of the list and not the bottom.”
The message from the Antigua Rifle Association was:“I wish to join in congratulating Mahendra and Lennox on their sterling performance representing Guyana and the West Indies. They have demonstrated that we can not only compete but beat some of the larger countries. I hope you take your performance into the Commonwealth Games.”
Persaud and Braithwaite are scheduled to return to Guyana where they will continue training in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
The Guyana NRA, said it would like to appeal once more for continued sponsorship from corporate Guyana and the government in support of our shooters.
“The individual and team performances has been second to none and at the highest level,” the release stated.
“The team continues to be the reigning champions at both the short and long range championships in the West Indies for the last eight years.
“This shows the dedication and commitment of the sportsmen, and the pride they take in giving glory to Guyana on the world stage, “the release ended.
Top 10 positions on the leader board:
1st DAVID LUCKMAN ENGLAND RIFLE TEAM 399.39
2nd PETRUS HAASBROEK SOUTH AFRICAN RIFLE TEAM 399.32
3rd JIM BAILEY AUSTRALIAN RIFLE TEAM 398.42
4th PARAG PATEL ENGLAND RIFLE TEAM 396.38
5th JIM PATON CANADIAN RIFLE TEAM 394.41
6th LENNOX BRAITHWAITE GUYANA RIFLE TEAM 394.40
7th BEN EMMS AUSTRALIAN RIFLE TEAM 394.38
8th MAHENDRA PERSAUD GUYANA RIFLE TEAM 394.24
9th BRIAN CARTER NEW ZEALAND RIFLE TEAM 394.23
10th JACOBUS DU TOIT SOUTH AFRICAN RIFLE TEAM
393.37
